Researchers decry HIT “magical thinking”

A new report in the journal Health Affairs concludes that the adoption of health information technology has been stunted by what the authors call “magical thinking,” or the idea that technology alone will address all of the problems in the U.S. health system (Source: “Health Information Technology: A Few Years Of Magical Thinking?” Health Affairs online, Aug. 19, 2008).

The authors contend that unfair expectations may be one of the biggest obstables to HIT growth. Instead, they recommend that proponents of HIT emphasize that its positive impact on the health care system will be fully realized only if it is integrated with other policy changes and initiatives.

The study was accompanied by two related reports, one which highlights recent progress to show that HIT proponents are not espousing “magical thinking,” but rather strategic thinking (Source: “Health Information Technology: Strategic Initiatives, Real Progress,” Health Affairs online, Aug. 19, 2008).

The other companion piece examines the potential benefits of including expertise found on Internet and Web-based applications, rather than relying solely on established industry experts  (Source: “The Alternative Route: Hanging Out The Unmentionables For Better Decision Making In Health Information Technology,” Health Affairs online, Aug. 19, 2008).